Watching the scenery pass by, I listen to the pups behind me excitedly chat about our soon-to-be new Pack and what type of wolves we will be meeting. Gale and my Uncle have told us a lot about Crescent Phoenix and the one thing that has caught my attention is the Beta, Brynlee. She is the youngest Beta so far in the werewolf world. She is also the Goddess-given Mate of my enemy’s son.“We should be there within the hour.” A voice calls out from behind me, making me jump in my seat. Turning away from the window and the endless forest view, I find Ashton taking a seat beside me, his easygoing smile I have gotten used to making me roll my eyes. Even though we aren’t Mates, that hasn’t stopped this wolf from flirting with me, much to my Uncle’s warnings.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He apologizes.“It’s fine. I am just lost in thought.” I reply, letting out a sigh.“Something has me on edge and I can’t put my finger on it.” I admit, getting a hum from Ashton.“Could it be you are
Watching the bus pull in front of the Pack House flanked by our Warriors, I groan as Quincy fidgets beside me. Ever since lunch, he has been on edge, even having to end his patrol early because he could not focus and nearly fell into a ditch. Had someone not been there to stop him in his tracks, Quincy would have been seriously injured. His attitude has me believing that Rune is right and that maybe Quincy has been given a Second Chance Mate.The bus doors open and Gale is the first to step out. He makes a beeline for Asteria who stands to the side, scooping her into his arms and smiling. It’s been just over a week since he set out with Jett and the others to get the Willow Bark wolves, they must have missed each other.Jett is the next to step out of the bus, helping the others off one by one and telling them to stand just to the right so that we can get them all settled. I knew Jett said that the majority of the refugees had been pups, but I did not expect to see so many between the
Suppressing the snarl rising inside me, I glare at the incompetent Omega that has just spilled my soup. She mumbles out apologies after apologies to me as she quickly moves to clean the spill with the paper towel on my table and kneels beside the chair I am sitting on.“Guards!” I call out, my words ending in the snarl that escapes my lips.“Have this stupid bitch punished for ruining my meal. I am carrying the future Alpha of this Pack and this Omega can’t even feed me properly.” I continue. The Dining Hall goes quiet at this, all eyes on me as two men step forward and drag the Omega away. She is kicking and sobbing, begging for forgiveness while two others step forward, bow to me, and continue cleaning the mess before disappearing. My stomach growls in hunger and I snarl in frustration. How dare these idiots keep me from eating!“My love, what has you so upset?” Looking up from the table, I find Valor making his way to me. His greying black hair slicked back and his eyes focused onl
Leaving the examination area as the last wolf leaves to return to the guest house, I feel happier than I had been this morning, I make my way toward Jasmin’s office while I wait for her to bring me the results from today’s examination. Two days have passed since the wolves from Willow Bark arrived at Crescent Phoenix and today we had them go through a mandatory examination after letting them settle in at the guest house. Jasmin and her team were the ones in charge of checking each wolf and as the Beta, I was sent to oversee the process to make sure everyone complied with the exams.There was one hiccup with today’s exam and that was Quincy barging in demanding to be there to make sure Milan was not mistreated. Milan being the defacto leader of the Willow Bark Rogues, chose to go first with the examination to show the younger wolves that it was perfectly safe. She must have been nervous but hid it well because the doors to the examination hall that was set aside for today burst open an
Stretching out under the willow tree with the wind flowing through my fur, I enjoy watching my Pack Mates coming and going from the Pack House while I wait for Rune. My work had only taken me about an hour and a half to complete and I decided to wait outside for my Mate after having lunch.“I thought you would wait for me in your office.” Lifting my head off my paws, I look to find Rune coming under the willow tree, looking at me in amusement. My tail slumps slowly on the grassy ground and I let out a yawn.[I ended up being done early and decided to enjoy the nice weather in my fur form.] I answer through the link, getting an eye roll from Rune.“I see. Let me go shift and I will be right back.” He sighs out, running a hand through his black hair. I nod, resting my head on my paws and closing my eyes. I have been tired lately, the tiredness being a mix of running around preparing to welcome new wolves with Asteria as well as worrying about my pregnancy, and relaxing under the leaves
Watching Brynlee in the corner of the training room talking with Odette as the two she-wolves work out, I find myself smiling and thinking about how this is how life should be. I spent years under my father’s grasp scared for the destruction of my Pack if I went against his wishes and nearly lost the best damn thing ever placed into my life because of this.“Need a sparing partner?” Jumping, I whirl around intending to punch the person that snuck up on me only to stop my fist from colliding with Quincy’s nose. The Head Warrior smiles at me sheepishly, neither flinching nor retaliating from my sudden attack.“Sorry, Quincy. I didn’t hit you, did I?” I mutter out awkwardly, lowering my fist as Milan slinks around me, amusement in her eyes while she walks towards my Mate and her friend.“It’s fine man. Besides, I think I deserve the beating with how I have treated you these last few weeks.” Quincy replies, shrugging as he leans against the wall beside us. We stand there awkwardly for a m
Watching the wolves line up in front of the Council Headquarters, I try my best to plug my nose. Everyone here is a Rogue waiting to board and take a seat on the buses the Council provided for us. We will all be leaving to join either Shadow Rose or Crescent Phoenix within the hour and part of me is excited for this change.I had been turned Rogue involuntarily three weeks ago from Pine Moon. Alpha Valor had needed someone who could infiltrate Crescent Phoenix when news of his son being part of this pack reached him. At first, I had thought of refusing this job, but the prospect of leaving Pine Moon for a bit and possibly finding my Mate won and I agreed to become a spy for my Alpha.I was forced to make a blood pact as soon as I turned Rogue so that Alpha Valor could continue to control me while I went to infiltrate Crescent Phoenix and report to Alpha Valor who the Alpha and Beta are as well as confirm if his son Rune is there. Once I have done that, the blood pact would dissolve an
Sitting in my office, I watch from the side as our Council Representative – Alastor Levines – speaks with Milan Berhardt. Quincy is there, holding her hand as he silently supports her while Milan tells her side of events when Valor attacked Willow Bark. Her voice cracks with emotions and she has to take a moment to compose herself as Alastor passes a box of tissues to the she-wolf. This has been a trend with many of the wolves sine the interviews started two days ago.Four days ago, Alastor came with a few other council members, the group bringing along thirty new wolves who would be joining Crescent Phoenix next week. As usual, we had welcomed everyone to the Pack with a bonfire, the Crescent Phoenix wolves excited to welcome in these new members as it means we are growing stronger. We partied the night away and showed the guests to their rooms, deciding to put the six Council Wolves in the Pack House and the soon-to-be new members in the guest house where Milan and Quincy could keep
Sitting at the vanity in my room that Brynlee had placed here, I watch as she slips on the pure white dress that Asteria and she had bought in town. It has been seven days since we took back Pine Moon from Valor and Tanya. Seven days of executing traitors that sided with those vial wolves. Seven days of restructuring the Pack and working with Caspian, Odette, and Quest to learn everyone’s strengths, weaknesses, and what ranks would suit them the most. We were surprised by how many Omegas should have been Hunters or Warriors and in the end, we took down everyone’s names so that we could promote them during the initiation ceremony.“Can you help zip this dress up?” Brynlee calls out, her blue eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I smile, standing from the seat and taking the three steps needed to stand behind her. I carefully zip up her dress, feeling Brynlee shiver as my knuckles graze her skin. With a chuckle, I bend down to press a kiss onto my mark that graces her neck, getting a surpr
Sitting across from Alastor, I watch him take a sip from the coffee mug Sarah handed to him. Breakfast had just ended and as we waited for Asteria and Gale to join us with this meeting, Rune and I decided to bring Alastor into his office while asking Sarah – one of the few wolves we can trust – to bring refreshments for us.“Sorry we are late.” The door opens and Gale walks in followed by a tired looking Asteria. I know they are packing, preparing to leave and head back to Crescent Phoenix tomorrow morning, and I feel guilty for asking them to be here.“No need to apologize, Luan Gale.” Alastor states, waving his hand with a smile.“I see you also brought in a friend.” Stiffening in my seat, I sniff the air and confirm an unknown wolf’s scent. Blackberries and pine reach my nose and I wonder who it is that Asteria decided to allow onto Pine Moon without telling me.“Hey Alastor, long time no see.” A dark-haired, green-eyed man walks through the door, his large frame taking up more spa
Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to see the remains of my childhood home with Rune by my side. Three days have passed since we killed Valor and Tanya. Three days of getting to know our new Packmates and organizing the mess of a Pack that Valor and Tanya left behind. Everything from training schedules to patrolling to even food preparation had been left in the hands of Wade Kane and his Mate Nora Kane while Valor focused on trying to kill Rune, Asteria, and me. Because of this, the Pack was left in dire straights and these last two days have been nothing but torture for Rune and me. Thankfully we had the help of Gale and Asteria and I had the experience I gained from helping Golden Fang become Crescent Phoenix.Yesterday during a small break that Rune and I took to relax and catch our breaths since we had done nothing but work on the Pack, Caspian, Asteria, and Gale took Rune and me aside, a solemn look on their faces. They had asked if there was a quiet place for us to talk not wa
Sitting at the head table with Brynlee on my right and Caspian on my left, my heart feels at ease. Everyone who came to help us take back Pine Moon is mingling with the innocent members Brynlee and I will lead and the room is filled with smiles and laughter. Aunt Asteria and Uncle Gale were welcomed back warmly, the two being surrounded by wolves that had missed them dearly. Tristan was happily making his rounds around the Dining Hall, making sure his wolves were being kind while we all ate breakfast.But the best part of this morning was watching all the pups Brynlee used to train run up to her, wrapping my Mate in a group hug as she cried her heart out telling the pups how much she missed them. I know she is meant to be an Alpha leading as an equal beside me, but I also can see her taking on more traditional Luna roles if the pups continue rushing to her the way they did an hour ago.“Penny for your thoughts?” I hear my Aunt ask, noticing that Brynlee has left the table to grab anot
Standing in front of over one hundred wolves ranging from a newborn pup to the elderly using canes, I wonder just what their opinion are about Rune and me standing here. At the base of the steps to Pine Moon’s Pack House, Asteria, Gale, Caspian, Odette, Ashton, and Quest guard the stairs and prevent anyone from stepping close.“We should say something.” Rune mutters, taking my shaking hand in his. I can feel him shaking and sense the nervousness he has through our Mate Bond while facing everyone who remains in Pine Moon. Even after capturing Valor’s men, there is still one hundred and fifteen wolves in this Pack who now look to us as their leaders.“Do you want to start?” I ask, turning to look up at Rune. He sighs, running his free hand through his messy hair before nodding his head slightly. Giving my hand a squeeze, he releases it and steps down two steps, the crowd watching him with weary gazes.“Hello, everyone.” His calls out loudly, his deep voice projecting over the crowd.“I
Standing in the familiar foyer of the Pine Moon Pack House, I watch as Omegas run around preparing a simple breakfast for all the wolves here. Everyone knows Valor is dead now, they all felt it when he took his last breath.Tristan, Ashton, Rune, and I had stood where we were, the alarms blaring while we took in the fact Valor and Tanya were truly gone. That no one else in Pine Moon would be left feeling scared and hopeless. Tristan had helped Rune off of Valor’s body while Ashton came to stand beside me, my friend making sure that I was not left unprotected. We were left alone to our thoughts. That is until Riley came rushing to us claiming that wolves from Pine Moon had woken to the chaos of losing their Alpha and Luna.Rune waved off Riley, my Mate looking numb to everything around him. In the end, I was the one to order Riley to shut off the alarm and handed him a USB that contained a pre-recorded message Rune and I made before leaving Crescent Phoenix. With a task at hand, Riley
Stepping through the threshold of my childhood home, I smell the family scent of bourbon and cigar smoke floating in the air. It seems father’s nightly routine hasn’t stopped.“Nora!” My father shouts, his belligerent voice coming from the living room.“Are you back from patrol?” I pause my footsteps, looking at Asteria who furrows her brows. Her eyes glaze over for a moment, most likely trying to see if anyone ran into my mother. When her gaze returns to normal, she mouths the words ‘captured earlier’ to me and I sigh in relief. It seems my mother is taking a nice drug-induced nap with the other wolves that supported Valor.“Nora! Answer me you stupid whore!” Asteria and Gale wince, their concerned gaze turning to me. I shake my head, already used to the abuse my father hurled behind closed doors. No one really knew the truth about how my parents acted. They knew the masks of kind loving people they portrayed to the Pack but when it was just the three of us in these four walls, they
Lowering the now unconscious wolf in my grasp to the forest floor, I take a deep breath of the fresh air and try to calm my jittery nerves. It’s been forty minutes since the operation started. Forty minutes since Brynlee and Rune left for the Pack House to kill my little brother. In that hour, our wolves have found many of Valor’s supporters that we have drugged and tied up. As soon as we know Valor is gone, we will gather these wolves and execute them at dawn and cleanse Pine Moon once and for all.“Delilah found many Rogues in the dungeons and Odette is on her way to help them.” Avery calls out, making me jump. Tristan had sent his Beta with us to help in our part of the plan while he and Ashton went off to help Brynlee and Rune.“When did this happen?” I ask, worried that this may be a trap.“About five minutes ago.” She answers, looking up at the night sky. I can feel her worry for her Mate as Jamal went with Delilah to protect his cousin and Luna.“They will be fine.” I reassure
Keeping my gaze neutral as I try to fight back the laughter threatening to spill with Rune’s greeting to Valor, I watch as the Omega wiggles free of Valor’s grasp and runs down the hall towards another room. It seems like this Omega is smart to run and hide away from us as we came here for one reason and one reason only.“R-Rune.” Valor stutters out as Rune takes a step towards him.“What are you doing here in Pine Moon after turning your back on it?!” He demands, his words becoming confident. It seems Valor still has some bravado left after how cowardly he’s been acting.“Like Rune said a moment ago.” I decide to answer, leaning against the staircase railing.“Rune and I are back for our Pack as rightful Alphas.” My words hit their mark and Valor clenches his jaw in annoyance. I can’t help the smirk that grows as Valor chooses to ignore me to focus on Rune. He sees my Mate as the biggest threat out of the two of us and that’s fine. Having an opponent underestimate me makes the beatin